The goalie of the future is now all locked up for the Swift Current Broncos. They’ve signed 2012 second round bantam draft pick Travis Child to a Western Hockey League contract. Child has shown physical and mental maturity beyond his years in training camp and exhibition play. He didn’t allow a single goal during his half of the Black/White game and stopped 9 of the 10 shots he faced in half the rookie game. I had more than one fan react with shock when I told them he was only 15-years old. I got some quick reaction to the signing from Broncos management…

The Broncos had Child as the top goaltender on their draft board this spring and were very happy to get him where they did. He was impressive enough to get an invite to the NHLPA All-Canadian camp this summer for the top players born in 1997 and will have a very good chance to play in the U16 tournament for Alberta.

The Killam, Alberta product had a 3.46 goals against average and .910 save percentage for Camrose in Bantam AAA last season. His save percentage was 19 points better than the other goalie on his team. He also played some Minor Midget AAA and posted a 3.00 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Child has shown terrific enthusiasm for being part of the Broncos organization and is talented enough that we could very well see him as one of those rare goaltenders who start their WHL careers at 16. There is a lot of work to do before he gets there, but it feels to me like he’s on the right track.

Child will spend another weekend with the Broncos before returning home for his first season of midget hockey.